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Join Kayla and Ursa discuss the gifts and challenges with living in a multi-dog household! They introduce 5 topics to consider when living with several dogs:
- Make sure to spend time with each dog one on one as much as you can!
- Determine the training goals you would like to achieve with each dog. Don’t rely on the other dog to train the new pup. Separate the dogs and work on the training goals one at a time.
- Resource guarding is normal, to a point. In order to prevent any poor interactions between the dogs and to preserve their relationship, manage their access to one another when each of them has a high value object, such as, raw marrow bones, Kongs, toys, etc.
- When looking to add another dog, make sure their play styles, energy and overall needs match. If that is not the case, make sure to provide a young puppy with all the outlets they might need so they do not disturb your older dog.
- Make sure to set realistic expectations. It can be a gift and a challenge having a multiple dog household. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and the pups.
Sponsor:
To find a trainer to support any resource guarding challenges:
Ken Ramirez:
https://www.kenramireztraining.com
Kayla founded Journey Dog Training in 2013 to provide high-quality and affordable dog behavior advice. She is a Certified Dog Behavior Consultant who’s worked with hundreds of private clients, thousands of shelter dogs, and dozens of working detection dogs. Kayla’s dog and cat behavior advice has been featured in NPR, the Chicago Tribune, and Pet MD. She’s an avid adventurer who is currently doing #vanlife on the Pan-American Highway with her two border collies and a cat. Aside from running Journey Dog Training, Kayla also runs the nonprofit K9 Conservationists, where she and the dogs work as conservation detection dog teams. You can get 1:1 advice with a Journey Dog Training team member here.
